I don't think I'd recommend a chinchilla as a first pet. I just bought mine on my 20th birthday and although I researched a lot I also found out they each have their own quirky personality. I absolutely love mine, she's a wonderful girl to have around! BUT.. I did have to do some serious cage shopping after she somehow (to this day I don't know how) got hold of a plugged in wire to a hand vacuum and chewed right through. I was horrified when I came down to the office the next morning to see it. I purchased a very expensive reptile aquarium for her to live in and had to buy a lot of alternate things to just be able to hang up her water bottle/toys, etc.

I must say though, the cage is great, I no longer have to vacuum up sawdust flung all over the room in the morning.

They can also be very affectionate and mine even lets me cuddle with her.